Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
Viewing: Tues 14th October from 12pm
Auction: Wed 15th October from 9am
Location: St John’s Rd, Buxton SK17 6BE
1953 Jaguar XK120 SE Drophead Coupe
Entered from the Cambrian Collection
Estimate
£50,000 – £60,000
Registration No: 679 XWF
Chassis No: S677517
MOT: Exempt
The subject of a photographically documented, chassis up / body off restoration
Understood to be matching numbers throughout
Built to more desirable ‘SE’ (Special Equipment) specification and reisdent in America for much of its life
Subject to circa £70,000 worth of work since entering the Cambrian Collection
Famously built as a mere showcase for Jaguar’s all-new 3442cc DOHC XK straight-six engine, the XK120 Roadster caused a sensation when it was unveiled at the 1948 London Motor Show. Utilising a shortened MKV chassis complete with independent front suspension, a ‘live’ rear axle and hydraulic drum brakes, the lithe two-seater possessed class-leading 120mph plus performance and roadholding. Such dynamic excellence was rewarded with numerous victories including the 1950 RAC TT and 1951 Liege-Rome-Liege Rally. Arguably, the defining sportscar of its generation, a perilously shaky post-WW2 British economy gave the Coventry manufacturer little choice but to concentrate on overseas sales. Introduced in April 1953, the Drophead Coupe was not only the last but also the rarest XK120 derivative. Offering significantly better weather protection than its roadster sibling, the newcomer featured a fully lined hood with integral frame and wind-up windows. An elegant looking machine regardless of whether its soft-top was up or down, the two-seater boasted a rich wood veneer dashboard and matching door cappings. Only in production between April 1953 and August 1954, 1,472 of the 1,767 XK120 Drophead Coupes which rolled off the Browns Lane assembly line were to left-hand drive specification.
More information to follow
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